It’s always been about team and winning as far as I’m concerned, and basketball, remember, can play only five guys at one time. But a dominant team leader can take you a long way.
The last two years, the NBA’s MVP has been LeBron James. He was the man in Cleveland, as you know; however, the decision changed all that. Now he’s in South Beach with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and the rest of the Miami Heat.
The dominant player on the team that wins the most games after the grueling 82-game, six-month regular season is usually the odds-on favorite for league MVP. That’s where it starts. James won the MVP the last two years because he was the clear-cut best player, and Cleveland won 66 and 61 games and had the best regular season record. It also helps to have great individual numbers that can reflect on your team’s success.
Here are the players and their teams’ records who I believe have the best shot at winning the NBA’s MVP. Number one is Dereck Rose; he has had a spectacular season for the surging Chicago Bulls, averaging 25 points and 7.8 assists while making 85 percent of his free throws.
Number two is LeBron James in his first year in Miami, second in the NBA in scoring 26.4 points a game and averaging seven assists and seven rebounds per game.
Number three is Kobe Bryant; he’s the leader of the Lakers, the back-to-back champs. The Lakers have the second-best record and are the hottest team since the break, and he’s averaging 24.7 points a game.
Number four is Kevin Durrant, an outstanding player leading the NBA in scoring at 28 points a game for the second year in a row. Oklahoma City is 45-24, the fourth-best record in the Western Conference.
Number five is Dwight Howard. Orlando has the fourth-best record in the rugged East. He’s averaging 23 points and 14.2 rebounds, plays every night, and is the league’s dominant center.
The runaway best NBA team so far this year has been the San Antonio Spurs (56-13). They have the league’s best record by a wide margin in the toughest conference, the Western Conference. But they don’t have a dominant player having an MVP-like season. They are just strong and experienced, very good and well-coached.
Next, the Los Angeles Lakers are 50-20 and have been red-hot since the All-Star break (10-1). Kobe Bryant is always in the MVP discussion; his numbers are not great, but he’s going for the “Three Peat.” Boston and Chicago in the East are tied for best record (49-19). Miami is right on their heels at 48-22.
Fitz Notes & Quotes
2011 NBA All-Star game MVP Kobe Bryant said defense is the key for a Lakers third-straight title: “If we’re going to have an opportunity to ‘Three-Peat,’ defense is going to be what gets us there.” Bryant is also high on Timberwolves rookie Wesley Johnson’s potential. Johnson is averaging 10.4 points a game since the All-Star break.
“He’s improved his game a lot,” Bryant said. “He’s worked on his jumper. He trusts it. The next step for him is ball handling, starting to create his own shot from the perimeter and getting around guys. The sky’s the limit for him, because athletically he has all the tools.”
The Timberwolves have the inside track to get guard Ricky Rubio, who they drafted with a first-round pick two years ago to play here next year. Rubio is the teammate of former DeLaSalle-Michigan State star Alan Anderson in Barcelona.
Anderson is the team’s MVP; he, along with Rubio, won the Spanish Cup, and they are playing well. They have lost only once in three months. Anderson gets along with Rubio well. I would strongly suggest the Timberwolves offer Anderson a contract for next season and give him a chance to play with Rubio at home so Anderson can help convince Rubio on playing in Minnesota, his home town.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday-Friday at 12:17 pm and 4:17 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.
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